The FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week bloomed with statement designers opening new doors to the world of fashion. The event commenced from March 9-12 2023, in the fashion capital Mumbai, India. The four days long fashion extravaganza was an amalgamation of ultra-modern trends with a dash of historical relevance. The designers’ collectable dreams witnessed the return of notable trends, striking debuts and new launches, with sustainability holding the ultimate spotlight. The event was a perfect blend of glam, glitz and elegance. The bling of Bollywood divas added extra oomph to the runway.
DAY 1
The A-class fashion collection also touched the nerve of eco-fashion, resulting in some exclusive yet relatable fashion outcomes. Designer Anavila Misra opened the FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week’s event with her collection DABU. As fashion knows no limits, the core of this collection emphasises no boundaries to six yards of elegance with zippers, buttons and belts. A perfect melange of natural dyes with motifs such as fluid floral and the luxurious presence of gold and silver, the collection highlighted the ethereal beauty of Indian culture. Konkana Sen Sharma represented Misra’s collection in a plain blue saree.
Enigmatic winners of INIFD PRESENTS GENNEXT dazzled up the stage with their outstanding collection. Hiral Jajal’s collection Dystopian Bride played around with denim. Oversized, baggy drawstring denim and edgy tie-dye attires were presented with various shades of neon. Maharaja by the Bay, showcased by Kunaal Kyhaan, exhibited freely flowing silhouettes made of satin, cotton, crepe and silk. Hues like indigo, rust, jade and jamun blended well with royal motifs and magnified the iconic collection. Anugrah Chandra’s collection, Coalescence, was a dazzling fusion of techniques, hues, and relaxed ensembles. Rudraksh Dwivedi’s collection Midnight Glamour presented feminine, ultra-glam evening wear.
DAY 2
Top designers came together to unfold the event with bright colours, fringes, sheerer façade and baggy streetwear. The charismatic Shantanu Maheshwari aced the runway in frills for Deepit Chugh’s Line out Line monochromatic menswear. It unveiled fashionable yet energetic ready-to-wear designs featuring asymmetry and geo patterns.
Oozing the perfect summer vibes, Flirtatious by Aakriti presented a sustainable clothing line of lemon and beach umbrella motifs merged with geometric elements such as checkerboard pool tiles and brick walls. Showstopper Sanya Malhotra looked amusing in orange ensembles.
Limerick by Abirr ‘N’ Nanki celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. The collection explored from detailed paisley motifs to simple yet beautiful animal motifs. The collection was elevated by shades of magenta, blue and green. Adding glamour and luxe to the design was a showstopper, Shilpa Shetty. Two Point Two’s collection, A Warrior’s Journey was an ode to Japanese streetwear. The collection effortlessly captured energy, creativity and individuality through eco-friendly fabrics— Kooltex, GreenGold and EcoGold.
Tarun Tahiliani’s collection reimagined the traditional grace of the saree. Contemporary styles like corsets, mermaid flare, capes and sheer veils were incorporated with the subtle and enigmatic colour palette of gold, off-white and shades of pink. Actor Sobhita Dhulipala became a muse to Tarun Tahiliani in a gorgeous red saree gown.
DAY 3
The third day defined the culmination of Indian culture, vibrant colours and intricate detailing. Eshaa Amiin’s collection, Lyricals of an Escapist, involved luxe fabrics and bold colours with an addition of opulent embellishments and silky metallic. Kalki Koechlin, as a showstopper, slayed the runway. Designer Anushree Reddy’s bridal line stole the third day by showcasing the beauty of Apsaras in the golden mythological age. Her collection, Ahilaya used old age and intricate resham hand embroidery with zardozi accents on raw silk, katana and organza. A perfect inspiration for soon-to-be brides, the stunning Sushmita Sen walked the runway gracefully for Anushree Reddy. Disha Patil’s collection, Hasu, with star Diana Penty as the showstopper, showcased minimalistic yet fashion-forward designs to showcase a contemporary vision for ultra-modern brides. It shows the interplay of patterns formed by petals pounding upon a soothing palette of pastels and neutrals. Celebrating the beauty of all curves, the bling collection of Namrata Joshipura featured disco elegance with an enigmatic colour palette comprising cerulean blue, forest green and classic red. The showstopper Athiya Shetty dazzled the runway in a shining cut-out dress, celebrating the sparkles through modern fabrics. The third day of the fashion-extravaganza ended with JJ Valaya’s collection JJV Kapurthala showcasing experimental and creative interpretations of his travel worldwide. Symmetrical prints accompanied his authentic collection, flaunted by showstopper Rashmika Mandanna.
DAY 4
The last day of the high-end fashion event witnessed the fusion of classical grace, the bling of sequins and dark romanticism.
Sejal Kamdar’s collection for FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week showcased ethnic elegance refined in modern flair. Ajrakh prints, heavy embellishments with refreshing silhouettes and detailed strip work were used to curate this collection. Actror Nargis Fakhri walked the fashion trail in black attire. Mahima Mahajan’s collection Ruza depicts a free-spirited soul. The collection emphasised the core of the brand — extravagant volumes and silhouettes infused with colours like candy pink, sunset yellow and blush. The talented Nushrat Bharucha wore a mustard yellow lehenga for Mahajan.
Refreshing spring-summer shades were added with dabka and tila work details for Bhumika Sharma’s collection. The modern twist of organza and metallic tassels further added elegance to the collection. Glamorous Malaika Arora donned an orange three-piece as the showstopper. Nirmooha’s collection Matrix, recreates geometric patterns infused in shades of emerald, ruby, jade and carbon. It comprised signature prints overlayed with linear graphics and was presented by multitalented, Tamannaah Bhatia.
The grandeur of the show was concluded by fashion pioneer, Manish Malhotra’s Diffuse. The prêt collection aimed at redefining fashion and challenging its standard rules. The high-spirited actor-duo, Ananya Pandey and Aditya Roy Kapur graced the runway as they became showstoppers for Manish Malhotra’s collection.
